Due to such fantastic advancements in technology over the past decade, children can utilise media such as video and photography with relative ease, and this collection of quirky art apps will help promote your child’s eye for creativity and nurture their desire for self-expression. Apps and other activities that can encourage children to be creative and express themselves are essential for children with special educational needs or disabilities as they can often experience difficulty expressing their feelings or needs.

iLookFunny This photographic iPod app will provide endless fun and laughter, as I Look Funny overlays unusual accessories over the top of a normal snapshot – add funky sunglasses to the family pet, a silly wig and hat to dad or let your child transform themselves into everything from a bunny to a clown; I Look Funny is a fun way to play virtual dress-up.

Face Time with Mage Nuttimugs is a fun and interactive iPad app that places your child at the heart of the story! This simple, rhyme-filled interactive book takes a photo of your child’s face and places it on the head of the lead character – and using touch-screen technology, their photo is altered throughout the story to present them with happy, silly and sad faces. There’s also a lovely moral to the story, in that you are perfect just the way you are.

Toontastic If your child is particularly taken by cartoons and the art of comic books, then Toontastic is the perfect iPad tool for helping them to create their very own comic-book style art and cartoon animations. This multi-award winning app includes a vast cast of characters (as well as a “draw your own character” feature) and a selection fantastical settings, giving your child an easy and exciting introduction to independent story telling.

iMovie has become a highly acclaimed industry standard video editor due to its simplicity and straight forward usability, and in turn lends itself perfectly for use by young children. Create short films or movies with just a few multi-touch gestures, and soundtrack each masterpiece with your child’s favourite MP3 or voice over.

The Trabasack iPad mount aid keeps iPads safe and steady

There’s no doubt that these exciting and creative apps will bring out the artist in your child, and as every artist needs an easel, the Trabasack range of iPad lap desks provide a stable and sturdy play tray with a specially designed iPad mount aid for wheelchair users; the lap desk bags attach to the wheelchair with ease, and the ergonomic shape of the Connect Curve fits snugly around the child’s waist, ensuring comfort whilst in use.

These iPad apps were recently featured at the Manchester TES Resources Show 2012 by Ian Bean, former teacher and ICT coordinator at Priory Woods School, Inclusive Technology’s Consultancy and Training Manager now Independent Special Needs ICT consultant and trainer specialising in the use of ICT and assistive technology to support learners of all ages with severe and complex additional needs.